gestational hypertension

high-risk pregnancy

a pregnancy characterized by risk factors that make it likely the birth will be surrounded by problems such as premature delivery, difficult birth, retarded growth, birth defects, and early infant death.

lactation

let-down reflex

listeriosis (lis-TEAR-ee-OH-sis)

an infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which can be killed by pasteurization and cooking but can survive at refrigerated temperatures; certain ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs and deli meats, may become contaminated after cooking or processing, but before packaging.

low birthweight (LBW)

a birthweight of 5½ pounds (2500 grams) or less; indicates probable poor health in the newborn and poor nutrition status in the mother during pregnancy, before pregnancy, or both. Optimal birthweight for a full-term baby is 6.8 to 7.9 pounds (about 3100 to 3600 grams).

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

umbilical cord (um-BILL-ih-cul)

the ropelike structure through which the fetus's veins and arteries reach the placenta; the route of nourishment and oxygen to the fetus and the route of waste disposal from the fetus. The scar in the middle of the abdomen that marks the former attachment of the umbilical cord is the umbilicus (um-BILL-ih-cus), commonly known as the "belly button."